Media processing device

ABSTRACT

A media processing device enables reading second media that do not bend easily from the device front with the same ease of use as processing first media that bend easily. The media processing device has a media conveyance path that guides first media inserted from a media insertion opening toward the back and then again toward the front on the front-back axis to the media exit. A straight conveyance path that angles to the inside on the device width axis is formed at a part connected to the media exit, and a second media insertion path that extends straight to the front from the straight conveyance path is connected to the media exit.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a media processing device, such as acheck processing device, having an optical reading unit that reads animage of a medium conveyed through a curved conveyance path. Thedisclosure relates more specifically to a media processing device thatis extremely easy to operate and can scan images from both first media,such as checks that bend easily, and second media, such as driverlicenses and other cards that do not bend easily.

2. Related Art

Checks are commonly used in bank operations for settling deposit andwithdrawal processes. When a check is used to settle a transaction, thedate and signature on the check are confirmed at the teller window, thenecessary deposit or withdrawal process is completed, and the check usedin the transaction is then endorsed on the back. A receipt related tothe check process is then given to the customer. A driver license orother type of identification card is typically required to confirm theidentity of the person presenting the check in each transaction, and acopy of the identification card may be taken and stored as needed. Theseprocesses must be frequently performed in a short time at the tellerwindow.

These processes are increasingly performed electronically. Morespecifically, magnetic information and optical information is capturedfrom the checks using magnetic ink character readers (MICR) and opticalscanners, and checks are endorsed with a printer.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2004-243764, for example,teaches a compact multifunction printer having a magnetic ink characterreader (MICR), optical scanner, check printhead, and receipt printheadenabling processing checks in batches in the confined space of a tellerwindow. This multifunction printer has a conveyance path that curves ina U-shaped configuration when seen in plan view for conveying checks andother slips, and another conveyance path perpendicular thereto forconveying continuous paper for printing receipts, and disposes a singleprinthead for printing both checks and receipts where these twoconveyance paths intersect.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2004-297761 teaches a datareading device that uses an image scanning sensor disposed to a checkconveyance path that curves in a U-shape to read a license or otheridentification card that does not bend easily. Using the data readingdevice described in JP-A-2004-297761, check processing and customerverification processing required for check processing can be efficientlyperformed using a single device.

In check processing devices with a U-shaped check conveyance path thecheck conveyance path is formed from the front of the device, curves atthe back of the device, and then returns to the front again, enablingthe operator to insert the check to be processed and retrieve the checkafter processing is completed from the front. However, while checks canbe easily handled from the front using the data reading device disclosedin JP-A-2004-297761, scanning media such as cards from the front cansometimes not be done easily.

More specifically, in the data reading device described inJP-A-2004-297761, the check conveyance path curves in a U-shape whenseen in plan view, the image scanning sensor is disposed to the part ofthe check conveyance path that extends straight widthwise to the printerat the back of the device, and the license or card media to be imaged isinserted from one side at the back of the device to this part of theconveyance path. The operator must therefore look at the side of thedevice and extend the hand holding the card to the side of the device toinsert the card. Because the place where the card is inserted from theside cannot be directly seen, the device can be difficult for theoperator to use. In addition, if the card is inserted by guessinginstead of looking at the card entrance that opens to the side at theback of the device, the edge of the card may hit the side of the caseinstead of entering the opening, and the case or the card may bedamaged.

SUMMARY

A media processing device according to the disclosure enables scanningcards and other second media that do not bend easily. The second mediaare scanned from the front of the device with the same ease of use asprocessing checks and other first media that bend easily.

A media processing device according to the disclosure has a device casewith a media entrance and a media exit; a media conveyance path formedin the device case to guide first media inserted from the media entrancefrom the front to the back on a front-back axis, and then from the backto the front on the front-back axis to the media exit, where when thedevice case is placed upright on a flat surface one direction parallelto the surface is the front-back axis, the direction parallel to thesurface and perpendicular to the front-back axis is a device width axis,and the direction perpendicular to the surface is a vertical axis; astraight conveyance path connected to the media conveyance path at themedia entrance or the media exit; a straight second media insertion paththat extends from the media entrance or the media exit on a lineextending the straight conveyance path toward the front on thefront-back axis, and is formed in a top part of the device case facingup on the vertical axis, for inserting second media from the mediaentrance to the straight conveyance path or discharging second media tothe outside of the straight conveyance path from the media exit; and anoptical reading unit that images media passing through the straightconveyance path. The straight conveyance path and the second mediainsertion path extend in a direction on the front-back axis or adirection slanted an acute angle to the front-back axis; and theinsertion direction of the first media inserted from the media entrance,or the discharge direction of the first media discharged from the mediaexit, is a direction different from the second media insertion path, andis a direction on the front-back axis or a direction slanted an acuteangle to the front-back axis.

The direction of the second insertion path to which second media such ascards that do not bend easily are inserted is a direction slanted anacute angle to the insertion direction of first media inserted from themedia entrance or the discharge direction of first media discharged fromthe media exit of the media conveyance path that conveys first mediasuch as checks that bend easily. Second media can therefore be insertedto the media conveyance path from the second insertion path formed inthe top of the media processing device, and the second media can beimaged using the image reading unit disposed to the straight conveyancepath, without interfering with first media inserted to the mediaconveyance path or first media discharged from the media conveyancepath. As a result, the second media insertion path can be disposed to aposition adjacent to the media entrance or the media exit of the mediaconveyance path. Second media can therefore be handled in the same wayas first media are handled from the device front while looking directlyat the second media insertion path, and the ease of scanning secondmedia or handling second media can be improved.

In order to suppress increasing device dimensions and make the devicesmall and compact, and particularly to suppress increasing the devicewidth, the insertion direction of the first media inserted from themedia entrance, or the discharge direction of the first media dischargedfrom the media exit, is a direction on the front-back axis; and thedirection of the straight conveyance path and the second media insertionpath is slanted toward the front on the front-back axis at an acuteangle to the inside on the device width axis relative to the directionon the front-back axis.

In order to assure sufficient length in the conveyance path forconveying the second media past the reading position of the imagereading unit when the straight conveyance path portion of the mediaconveyance path is short or the length of the second media in theconveyance direction is long, an extension path that extends straightalong a linear extension of the straight conveyance path is formed fromthe back end of the straight conveyance path on the front-back axis, andthe end of the extension path at the back on the front-back axis is opento the device back.

When the straight conveyance path is a conveyance path connected to themedia exit of the media conveyance path, and has an exit pocket thatrecovers first media discharged from the media exit, the second mediainsertion path is preferably disposed to the inside of the exit pocketon the device width axis, the exit pocket extends on the front-backaxis, and the direction of the straight conveyance path and the secondmedia insertion path is slanted toward the front on the front-back axisat an acute angle to the inside on the device width axis relative to thedirection on the front-back axis.

When checks are used as the first media, for example, the cards or othersecond media are smaller in width than the first media. When the bottomof the straight conveyance path of the media conveyance path isdetermined by a channel of a specific depth that is open at the top onthe vertical axis, and the exit pocket is a recessed part that is openat the device top and has a bottom at the same height as the channelbottom of the straight conveyance path, the second insertion path isdisposed at a height in the middle of the straight conveyance path inthe channel depth direction. More specifically, the bottom of the secondmedia insertion path is at a height between the channel bottom of thestraight conveyance path and the channel top opening that is open to thetop on the vertical axis, and the second media inserted from the secondmedia insertion path to the straight conveyance path is conveyed throughthe straight conveyance path at the same height as the bottom of thesecond media insertion path. This enables disposing the second mediainsertion path at a position higher than the bottom of the straightconveyance path, and makes inserting second media with a narrow widtheasier than inserting them from the device top to the bottom of thestraight conveyance path channel.

The media processing device according to the disclosure can be used as acheck processing device. In this case, the configuration described aboveis complemented by a magnetic reading unit that reads magneticinformation from first media conveyed through the media conveyance path,and a media print unit that prints on first media conveyed through themedia conveyance path, the media conveyance path is a check conveyancepath, and the second media insertion path is formed as a card insertionpath.

Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding ofthe disclosure will become apparent and appreciated by referring to thefollowing description and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing a check processing device according tothe disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the check processing device shown in FIG. 1with the two top covers open.

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the check processing device shown in FIG. 1when seen from above.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the check conveyance mechanism in thecheck processing device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section view showing the receipt printing mechanismin the check processing device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows examples of card insertion paths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a media processing device according to the presentdisclosure is described below with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The media processing device according to this embodiment of thedisclosure is a check processing device that processes checks, which area type of first media that bends easily. This check processing devicehas a card scanning mechanism for imaging driver licenses and similarcards, which are a type of second media that does not bend easily, forcustomer verification when processing checks, and a receipt printingmechanism for issuing receipts on which processed check information, forexample, is printed. The disclosure can be similarly applied to mediaprocessing devices for processing first media that bend easily otherthan checks. The disclosure can also be applied to media processingdevices that do not have a receipt printing mechanism.

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a check processing device according to anembodiment of the disclosure from diagonally above the front right side.FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the check processing device from diagonallyabove the front left side with open front and back covers disposed tothe top. FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the check processing device fromthe top front side.

Referring to these figures, the case 1 a of the check processing device1 includes a rectangular bottom case part 2 of a specific thickness, anda top case part 3 disposed thereabove. An entry pocket 4 to which acheck S1 to be processed is inserted, a check conveyance path P1 throughwhich the check S1 fed from the entry pocket 4 is conveyed, and an exitpocket 5 for recovering the check S1 delivered from the check conveyancepath P1, are formed in the top case part 3. Reading magnetic inkcharacter data from the check S1, printing an endorsement on the checkS1, and imaging both sides of the check S1, are performed in this orderwhile the check S1 is conveyed through the check conveyance path P1.Note that when the check processing device 1 is placed in the normalupright operating position on a flat level surface as shown in FIG. 1,the side of the check processing device 1 (case 1 a) facing the user isreferred to below as the front, the opposite side as the back, thedirection between this front and back is the longitudinal axis Y, thedirection parallel to the level surface and perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis Y is the transverse axis X, and the directionperpendicular to the level surface is the vertical axis Z.

The check path from the entry pocket 4 through the check conveyance pathP1 to the exit pocket 5 is a vertical channel of a specific width thatis formed in the top case part 3 and open at the top on the verticalaxis Z. As shown in FIG. 1, a check S1 is inserted to the entry pocket 4standing on edge with the long sides at top and bottom, and is conveyedthrough the check conveyance path P1 and discharged into the exit pocket5 in this same posture. The check conveyance path is a substantiallyU-shaped path that opens to the front when seen in plan view.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the entry pocket 4 extends fromthe front toward the back of the top case part 3 on the right side ofthe transverse axis X, and the upstream path P11 portion of the checkconveyance path P1 extends straight toward the back of the device fromthe check insertion opening 4 a formed at the back end of the entrypocket 4. The downstream part of the upstream path portion P11 curves tothe inside on the transverse axis X and joins the back path P12 portionof the check conveyance path P1. The back path P12 extends substantiallystraight on the transverse axis X, and the downstream end part thereofcurves toward the front of the device and joins the downstream path P13portion of the check conveyance path P1. The downstream path P13 is astraight path that is slanted at an acute angle θ to the inside of thedevice width relative to the longitudinal axis Y, and in this embodimentof the disclosure continues at an angle of approximately 10 to 20degrees. The downstream end of the downstream path P13 connects througha check discharge opening 5 a to the exit pocket 5. The exit pocket 5continues to the front of the device along the longitudinal axis Y.

The top case part 3 is divided by this U-shaped check conveyance pathinto a right case member 6, rear case member 7, left case member 8, andan inside case member 9 located thereinside. A front cover 11, a backcover 12, a receipt exit 13 for the receipt printer described below, andan operating panel 14 are disposed on the top of the inside case member9. A card insertion path 15 for inserting a card C to be read by thecard scanner described below is also provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 11 can open to the front pivoting ata position at the device front, and the back cover 12 can open to theback pivoting at a position at the device back. The receipt exit 13 isformed between the distal end of the front cover 11 and the distal endof the back cover 12, and has a narrow rectangular shape extendingwidthwise to the device. The operating panel 14 is formed at a place atthe back side of the device on the left side of the back cover 12, is asubstantially flat surface formed at a slightly higher position, and hasa plurality of operating switches 14 a and a display unit 14 b with aplurality of LEDs for indicating the operating status.

A roll paper compartment 16 is formed inside the inside case member 9 inthe area covered by the back cover 12. When the back cover 12 opens, theroll paper compartment 16 is open to the top and roll paper R (see FIG.5) can be loaded or replaced. An automatic cutter 17 for cuttingwidthwise across the continuous paper S2 (see FIG. 5) is disposed insidethe inside case member 9 in the area covered by the front cover 11. Thecontinuous paper S2 is delivered from the roll paper R stored in theroll paper compartment 16. Information corresponding to checkinformation, for example, is printed on the continuous paper S2 conveyedfrom the roll paper R, and the trailing end of the printed portion iscut to issue a receipt of a specific length from the receipt exit 13. Anink cartridge compartment 18 is located on the device front side of theautomatic cutter 17, and an ink cartridge 19, which is the ink supplysource for printing checks, is installed therein. When the front cover11 opens, the drive unit 17 c of the automatic cutter 17 is exposed andthe ink cartridge compartment 18 is open at the top, thus enablinginspection of the automatic cutter 17 and replacing the ink cartridgeeasily from the top of the device.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the card insertion path 15 is formed inthe flat top part 20 on the left side of the front cover 11 in the topof the inside case member 9. This top part 20 is at a lower positionthan the operating panel 14 at the back. The card insertion path 15 is astraight channel of a specific width and a specific depth that is openat the top in this top part 20. The rear end of the card insertion path15 at the back of the device is connected to the top of the downstreamend entrance P13 a to the downstream path P13 portion of the checkconveyance path P1, and the front end of the card insertion path 15 atthe device front side is located near the side of the front cover 11. Asshown in FIG. 3, the card insertion path 15 is a straight insertion pathextending along an extension of the downstream path P13, which is astraight conveyance path, toward the device front. More specifically,the card insertion path 15 extends to the inside of the device in thedirection slanted at an acute angle θ to the longitudinal axis Y.

To scan an image of a card C that does not bend easily, the card C isinserted to the card insertion path 15 from the device front and pushedto the back as indicated in FIG. 3. The card C pushed into the cardinsertion path 15 is conveyed from the card insertion path 15 to thedownstream path P13, and is imaged by the optical reader 43 (see FIG. 4)described below for scanning checks that is disposed to the downstreampath P13. After scanning, the card C is conveyed from the downstreampath P13 to the card insertion path 15 at the device front.

A card slot 21 for reading magnetic information from card C that doesnot bend easily is also formed in the check processing device 1according to this embodiment of the disclosure. This card slot 21 isformed in the top part of the right case member 6 of the top case part3. A magnetic reader not shown is disposed inside this right case member6, and magnetic information stored on the card C is read by pulling thecard C from the rear end of the card slot 21 through the card slot 21 tothe device front.

FIG. 4 shows main parts of the check conveyance mechanism for conveyinga check S1 through the U-shaped check conveyance path. The checkconveyance mechanism is described below with reference to this figure.

A paper feed roller 30 a is disposed to the side on the right casemember 6 side of the entry pocket 4, and a pressure member 30 b isdisposed to the side on the same side as inside case member 9. Thepressure member 30 b pushes a check S1 inserted to the entry pocket 4 tothe paper feed roller 30 a side. The check S1 is fed into the upstreampath P11 of the check conveyance path P1 by the paper feed roller 30 a,which is driven by an in-feed motor 22. In this embodiment the check S1is inserted standing on edge to the entry pocket 4 with the back of thecheck facing the inside of the device (the side of the inside casemember 9).

A feed roller 31 a that feeds the check S1 supplied from the entrypocket 4, and a retard roller 31 b that faces the feed roller 31 a withthe upstream path P11 therebetween, are disposed to the upstream pathP11 of the check conveyance path P1. The feed roller 31 a is driven bythe in-feed motor 22, and turns synchronously to the paper feed roller30 a. The retard roller 31 b is rotated to the feed roller 31 a side,and separates and feeds the checks S1 one at a time downstream.

A plurality of conveyance roller pairs 32 to 36 are disposed in theconveyance path parts of the check conveyance path P1 downstream fromthe feed roller 31 a. Conveyance roller pair 32 is disposed to theupstream path P11, conveyance roller pairs 33 and 34 are disposed to theback path P12, and the remaining conveyance roller pairs 35 and 36 aredisposed to the downstream path P13. Each of the conveyance roller pairs32 to 36 has a drive roller 32 a, 33 a, 34 a, 35 a, 36 a on the insidecase member 9 side, and a follower roller 32 b, 33 b, 34 b, 35 b, 36 bon the outside right case member 6, rear case member 7, or left casemember 8 side opposite the corresponding drive roller with the checkconveyance path P1 therebetween. The drive rollers 32 a, 33 a, 34 a, 35a, 36 a are synchronously driven rotationally by a drive motor 40through an endless belt 37. The follower rollers 32 b, 33 b, 34 b, 35 b,36 b are rotated by a rotating member not shown to the correspondingdrive roller 32 a-36 a side.

A magnetic reading unit 41 is also disposed to the upstream path P11 ofthe check conveyance path P1. The magnetic reading unit 41 has amagnetic scanner 41 a such as an MICR unit that can read magneticinformation recorded in magnetic ink, for example, on the check S1. Themagnetic scanner 41 a is disposed to the right case member 6 with themagnetic reading surface facing the upstream path P11. A pressure roller41 b is disposed opposite the magnetic reading surface of the magneticscanner 41 a with the upstream path P11 therebetween. The conveyed checkS1 is pressed to the magnetic reading surface of the magnetic scanner 41a by the pressure roller 41 b, and the magnetic information is reliablyread by the magnetic scanner 41 a.

A check print unit 42 that prints an endorsement on the back of thecheck S1 is disposed to the back path P12, which extends continuouslyfrom the downstream end of the upstream path P11 widthwise to thedevice, in an area on the left corner side of the device. The checkprint unit 42 has an inkjet line head 42 a disposed extending verticallyto the device with the nozzle surface of the inkjet line head 42 afacing the back path P12. A platen 42 b that defines the printingposition of the inkjet line head 42 a is disposed to a place on the rearcase member 7 facing the nozzle surface with the back path P12therebetween. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the ink supplysource of the inkjet line head 42 a is the ink cartridge 19 loaded inthe ink cartridge compartment 18. Note that a thermal head could be usedinstead of an inkjet head 42 a. Using a line head as in this embodimentis desirable because the check print unit 42 can be made more compactthan when a serial head is used.

The conveyance roller pairs 35 and 36 are disposed to the downstreampath P13 of the check conveyance path P1, and the optical reader 43 forimaging both sides of the check S1 is disposed to the portion of theconveyance path between these roller pairs. The optical reader 43 has anoptical scanner 43 a for imaging the front of the check S1 and anoptical scanner 43 b for imaging the back disposed with the scanningsurfaces thereof facing each other with the downstream path P13therebetween.

The downstream end of the downstream path P13 is connected to the checkdischarge opening 5 a that discharges the processed check S1 afterreading magnetic information, printing an endorsement, and imaging arecompleted into the exit pocket 5. The exit pocket 5 is open at the top,and a check S1 deposited into the exit pocket 5 can be removed fromabove. Because both the entry pocket 4 and exit pocket 5 are open at thetop, the operator can always handle the check S1 from above the front ofthe check processing device 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section view of the check processing device 1. Thereceipt printing mechanism assembled in the inside case member 9 of thetop case part 3 is described next primarily with reference to thisfigure. The receipt printing mechanism includes the roll papercompartment 16 that holds the roll paper R described above. The rollpaper compartment 16 holds the roll paper R so that the roll can rotatefreely horizontally widthwise to the device. The continuous paper pathP2 that guides the continuous paper S2 pulled from the roll paper R tothe receipt exit 13 extends from the roll paper compartment 16 to thedevice front with the width of the paper path aligned with the devicewidth.

The bottom of the roll paper compartment 16 is defined by a curvedconcave bottom panel 51, and the top opening is covered by the backcover 12. The back end of the back cover 12 is supported by a hinge 52of which the center axis is the pivot axis extending transversely, andthe back cover 12 opens and closes pivoting on this hinge 52.

The continuous paper S2 pulled from the roll paper R in the roll papercompartment 16 is guided by a paper guide 53, which is attached to thefront edge part of the bottom panel 51, to the continuous paper printunit 54. A guide roller that rotates freely to reduce the rollingresistance to the roll paper R may be disposed to the bottom of the rollpaper compartment 16, and the roll paper R placed thereon.

The continuous paper print unit 54 includes a thermal line head 54 a anda platen roller 54 b that conveys while pressing the continuous paper S2to the printhead surface of the thermal head 54 a. In this embodiment,the thermal line head 54 a is disposed to the side of the inside casemember 9, and the platen roller 54 b is mounted at a position on thedistal end side of the back cover 12.

The automatic cutter 17 is disposed above the continuous paper printunit 54. The automatic cutter 17 includes a fixed knife 17 a, and adrive unit 17 c including a movable knife 17 b. The fixed knife 17 a isdisposed on the back cover 12 side, and the movable knife 17 b and driveunit 17 c are disposed on the side of the inside case member 9. Thecontinuous paper S2 passes the cutting position of the automatic cutter17 after passing the printing position of the continuous paper printunit 54, and is discharged to the top from the receipt exit 13 openabove the automatic cutter 17. Note that a cutter 55 (see FIG. 1 to FIG.3) is provided widthwise to the device along the front edge of thereceipt exit 13, enabling the operator to cut the continuous paper S2 ata desirable position.

In addition to a receipt printing mechanism, the check processing device1 has a card scanner mechanism for imaging the card C inserted from thecard insertion path 15. Referring to FIG. 4, the card scanner mechanismincludes the card insertion path 15, and a card sensor 57 that detects acard C inserted from the card insertion path 15. The card sensor 57could be a photocoupler or other optical sensor, or a mechanical switch,for example.

When insertion of a card C to the card insertion path 15 is detected bythe card sensor 57, the conveyance roller pairs 35, 36 of the checkprocessing mechanism disposed to the downstream path P13 turn. Inaddition, a card in-feed operation that conveys the card C inserted fromthe card insertion path 15 along the downstream path P13 toward thedevice back, and a card out-feed operation that conveys and returns thein-fed card C to the device front into the card insertion path 15, areperformed. A card scanning operation that images the card C conveyedfrom the downstream path P13 to the card insertion path 15 using theoptical reader 43 used for check imaging is also performed.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the discharge direction of the check S1that is recovered into the exit pocket 5 from the straight downstreampath P13 through which the check S1 is conveyed, that is, the directionin which the check S1 is discharged through the check discharge opening5 a into the exit pocket 5, is aligned with the longitudinal axis Y or adirection at an acute angle θ relative to the longitudinal axis Y towardthe outside of the device width. The discharged checks S1 are collectedin the exit pocket 5 aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis Yand stacked sequentially widthwise to the device. The direction of thecard insertion path 15, however, continues in line with an extension ofthe downstream path P13, and is a direction at an acute angle θ to theinside towards the front of the device relative to the longitudinal axisY.

A card C can therefore be inserted from the card insertion path 15 tothe downstream end entrance P13 a of the downstream path P13 and scannedwithout interference from the checks S1 even when checks S1 are stackedaligned with the longitudinal axis Y in the exit pocket 5. As a result,the card insertion path 15 can be located beside the exit pocket 5 atthe device front, and cards C can be handled in the same way as checksS1 by looking directly at the card insertion path 15 from the devicefront. Card C scanning is therefore easier and handling cards C can beimproved.

In addition, the exit pocket 5 is a recessed pocket that extends in thedirection of the longitudinal axis Y, and the card insertion path 15 isdisposed to the inside of the device from the exit pocket 5. The cardinsertion path 15 can therefore be provided without increasing devicewidth. Note that if there is sufficient room in the device width, thecard insertion path 15 could be provided extending at an acute angle θto the outside on the outside of the exit pocket 5 extending on thelongitudinal axis Y.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a straight extension path 58 extends fromthe upstream end of the downstream path P13, that is, from the junctionwith the downstream end of the back path P12, in line with an extensionof the downstream path P13 towards the device back. The back end 58 a ofthis extension path 58 is open at the back of the device.

More specifically, when the downstream path P13 is short, or when thelength of the card C in the conveyance direction is long, the length ofthe downstream path P13 alone may not be sufficient for operations thatconvey all of the card C past the reading position of the optical reader43 (specifically, the operation that scans the entire surface of thecard C in the conveyance direction). This embodiment enables suchoperations, however, by forming the extension path 58 with the back end58 a thereof open at the back.

This embodiment also forms the card insertion path 15 in the top part 20at a height in the middle of the depth of the downstream path P13. Morespecifically, the bottom of the card insertion path 15 is located at aheight between the bottom and the open top of the downstream path P13channel. The width of driver license cards and other personalidentification cards is generally smaller than the width of most commonchecks S1. Because the height of the downstream path P13 corresponds tothe check S1 width, the elevation of the card insertion path 15 can bedisposed to a higher position if the upper part of this downstream pathP13 is used as the conveyance path for scanning cards, and a card C canbe inserted more easily than when the card C is inserted to the lowerpart of the check conveyance path P1 below the top part 20.

Operation of the check processing device 1 is controlled by amicroprocessing unit (MPU) or other control unit 61. As shown in FIG. 4,the control unit 61 is mounted on a circuit board 60 disposed to the topof the bottom case part 2. Maintenance is improved by updating a driver,for example, by controlling the check processing mechanism, receiptprinting mechanism, and card scanning mechanism of the check processingdevice 1 with a single control unit 61. Note that the control unit 61may be provided as a control circuit board disposed to the back side ofthe circuit board 60 (the opposite side as the side on which the checkconveyance path P1 is formed) instead of on the top of the circuit board60 as shown in FIG. 4.

When a check S1 is inserted from the device front to the entry pocket 4,the control unit 61 controls driving the in-feed motor 22 of the checkprocessing mechanism and feeds the check S1 into the check conveyancepath P1 by means of the paper feed roller 30 a. Synchronized to this,the control unit 61 controls driving the drive motor 40 and conveyschecks S1 one by one through the upstream path P11 by means of the feedroller 31 a and retard roller 31 b.

As the check S1 is conveyed through the upstream path P11, the controlunit 61 first controls the magnetic reading unit 41 to read the magneticinformation from the check S1, and captures the magnetic informationthat was read. Next, the control unit 61 prints an endorsement on theback of the check S1 with the check print unit 42 based on the readmagnetic information. The control unit 61 then controls the opticalreader 43 to image both sides of the check S1, and captures the scannedimage information. The imaged check S1 is then discharged by theconveyance roller pair 36 into the exit pocket 5.

The user's workload can be reduced because reading magnetic information,printing an endorsement, and imaging can be done in a single continuousprocess by the check processing mechanism of the check processing device1.

The control unit 61 also controls the in-feed motor 22 of the receiptprinting mechanism to rotationally drive the platen roller 54 b andconvey the continuous paper S2 from the roll paper R through thecontinuous paper path P2. While the continuous paper S2 is conveyedbetween the thermal line head 54 a and platen roller 54 b, necessaryinformation is printed on the continuous paper S2 as controlled by thecontrol unit 61. The printed continuous paper S2 is then discharged tothe outside from the receipt exit 13 by the platen roller 54 b. When theprinted leading end of the continuous paper S2 has been discharged andthe trailing end of the printed portion reaches the cutting position ofthe automatic cutter 17, continuous paper S2 conveyance stops, theautomatic cutter 17 is driven by the control unit 61 to cut widthwise,and the printed portion of the continuous paper S2 is cut off. Theprinted sheet that is cut to a specific length is then issued as areceipt.

When the control unit 61 detects based on output from the card sensor 57that a card C was inserted to the card insertion path 15, it controlsdriving the drive motor 40 of the check conveyance mechanism and drivesthe conveyance roller pairs 35, 36 for check conveyance to perform thecard in-feed operation that conveys the card C inserted to the cardinsertion path 15 into the downstream path P13. The length of the card Cin the conveyance direction is detected during the card in-feedoperation based on the output from the card sensor 57.

The card in-feed operation stops when the trailing end in the in-feeddirection of the card C has passed the reading position of the opticalreader 43. The conveyance roller pairs 35, 36 are then driven inreverse, and the card out-feed operation that discharges the card Cstarts. The optical reader 43 is driven during the card out-feedoperation to perform the scanning operation that images the front andback sides of the card C passing the scanning position. The cardout-feed operation stops after the card C is fed a specific distanceafter the trailing end in the out-feed direction of the card C isdetected by the card sensor 57. Images of the card C are thus captured.

A configuration in which the magnetic information and image informationare passed to the control unit 61 is described in this embodiment, butthe captured information could be output to an external device such as acomputer or display. In this case, output from the external device couldbe input to the control unit 61, and the control unit 61 could printusing the check print unit 42 and continuous paper print unit 54 basedon commands from the external device.

A configuration in which the drive motor 40 of the check processingmechanism and the paper feed motor of the receipt printing mechanism areseparately provided is described above, but the platen roller 54 b ofthe receipt printing mechanism could obviously also be driven by thedrive motor 40 on the check processing mechanism side through a speedreducer, pulley, and endless belt.

In this check processing device 1 as described above, the checkdischarge direction A in which checks S1 are discharged into the exitpocket 5 and the recovery direction in which checks S1 are recoveredinto the exit pocket 5 from the check conveyance path P1 that conveyschecks S1 that bend easily are different from the insertion direction ofthe card insertion path 15 to which cards C are inserted for imagingcards C that do not bend easily. Cards C can therefore be inserted fromthe card insertion path 15 to the downstream path P13 of the checkconveyance path P1 and the cards C can be imaged without interferencefrom a check S1 even when a check S1 has been recovered in the exitpocket 5. As a result, the card insertion path 15 can be locatedadjacent to the exit pocket 5 located at the device side, and cards Ccan be handled in the same way as checks S1 are handled from the devicefront while looking directly at the card insertion path 15. The ease ofscanning cards C and card C handling can therefore be improved.

In addition to scanning cards C, each part of the check processingdevice 1 can be operated from the device front as shown in FIG. 1 toFIG. 3. Operability is therefore better, and operations such asreplacing roll paper and replacing the ink cartridge can be performedmore easily than when parts must be operated from the side or back andthe operator must reach around to the side or back of the device.

Furthermore, because the check conveyance path P1 and continuous paperpath P2 are separated in this check processing device 1, the check S1conveyed through the check conveyance path P1 and the continuous paperS2 conveyed through the continuous paper path P2 can be conveyedindependently. In addition, checks S1 and continuous paper S2 will notcontact each other even if conveyed simultaneously, and paper jamsshould therefore not occur. Yet further, because the check print unit 42that prints on checks S1, and the continuous paper print unit 54 thatprints on continuous paper S2, are at separate locations and printindependently, checks S1 and continuous paper S2 can be printedsimultaneously or with a specific time gap therebetween irrespective ofthe printing status of the other.

Yet further, the continuous paper path P2 is a conveyance path thatextends in the part enclosed by the U-shaped check conveyance path P1 tothe device front on the open side of the U. A continuous paper path P2of the required length can therefore be assured without interfering withthe check conveyance path P1, and the parts of the receipt printingmechanism can be arranged more efficiently in the space surrounded bythe U-shaped check conveyance path P1 than when the continuous paperpath P2 extends in the device width direction. A check processing device1 with a receipt printing mechanism that is small and compact overallcan therefore be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the card insertion path 15 for card scanning islocated at a position beside the inside side of the exit pocket 5.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, the card insertion path 15 can belocated on the outside of the exit pocket 5 in the device widthdirection. Further alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6C, the cardinsertion path 15 can be located on the entry pocket 4 side on theinside in the device width direction. For example, when a dischargepocket 5A into which checks S1 that cannot be processed is providedbeside the exit pocket 5, the card insertion path 15 is preferablylocated on the entry pocket 4 side. In this case, the upstream path P11of the check conveyance path P1 is a straight path, and the opticalreader 43 for scanning checks, or a dedicated optical reader 43 forscanning cards, is located in this area. Further alternatively, the cardinsertion path 15 can be located on the outside of the entry pocket 4 inthe device width direction.

The disclosure being thus described, it may be varied in many ways. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the following claims.

1. A media processing device comprising: a device case with a mediaentrance and a media exit; a media conveyance path formed in the devicecase to guide first media inserted from the media entrance from thefront to the back on a front-back axis, and then from the back to thefront on the front-back axis to the media exit, where when the devicecase is placed upright on a flat surface one direction parallel to thesurface is the front-back axis, the direction parallel to the surfaceand perpendicular to the front-back axis is a device width axis, and thedirection perpendicular to the surface is a vertical axis; a straightconveyance path connected to the media conveyance path at the mediaentrance or the media exit; a straight second media insertion path thatextends from the media entrance or the media exit on a line extendingthe straight conveyance path toward the front on the front-back axis,and is formed in a top part of the device case facing up on the verticalaxis, for inserting second media from the media entrance to the straightconveyance path or discharging second media to the outside of thestraight conveyance path from the media exit; and an optical readingunit that images media passing through the straight conveyance path;wherein the straight conveyance path and the second media insertion pathextend in a direction on the front-back axis or a direction slanted atan acute angle to the front-back axis; and the insertion direction ofthe first media inserted from the media entrance, or the dischargedirection of the first media discharged from the media exit, is adirection different from the second media insertion path, and is adirection on the front-back axis or a direction slanted at an acuteangle to the front-back axis.
 2. The media processing device describedin claim 1, wherein: the insertion direction of the first media insertedfrom the media entrance, or the discharge direction of the first mediadischarged from the media exit, is a direction on the front-back axis;and the direction of the straight conveyance path and the second mediainsertion path is slanted toward the front on the front-back axis at anacute angle to the inside on the device width axis relative to thedirection on the front-back axis.
 3. The media processing devicedescribed in claim 1, wherein: the media conveyance path has aconveyance path portion that curves and extends on the device width axisfrom the end of the straight conveyance path at the back side on thefront-back axis; and an extension path that extends straight along aline continuing towards the back from the straight conveyance path onthe front-back axis is formed at the back end of the straight conveyancepath, and the back end of the extension path on the front-back axis isopen to the back on the front-back axis.
 4. The media processing devicedescribed in any of claims 1, wherein: the straight conveyance path is aconveyance path connected to the media exit of the media conveyancepath, and has an exit pocket that recovers first media discharged fromthe media exit; the second media insertion path is disposed to theinside of the exit pocket on the device width axis; the exit pocketextends on the front-back axis; and the direction of the straightconveyance path and the second media insertion path is slanted towardthe front on the front-back axis at an acute angle to the inside on thedevice width axis relative to the direction on the front-back axis. 5.The media processing device described in claim 4, wherein: the bottom ofthe straight conveyance path of the media conveyance path is determinedby a channel of a specific depth that is open at the top on the verticalaxis; the exit pocket is a recessed part that is open at the device topand has a bottom at the same height as the channel bottom of thestraight conveyance path; the bottom of the second media insertion pathis at a height between the channel bottom of the straight conveyancepath and the channel top opening that is open to the top on the verticalaxis; and the second media inserted from the second media insertion pathto the straight conveyance path is conveyed through the straightconveyance path at the same height as the bottom of the second mediainsertion path.
 6. The media processing device described in any ofclaims 1, further comprising: a magnetic reading unit that readsmagnetic information from first media conveyed through the mediaconveyance path; and a media print unit that prints on first mediaconveyed through the media conveyance path; wherein the media conveyancepath is a check conveyance path, and the second media insertion path isa card insertion path.